Catheter with oxyhydrogen catalytic thermal tip

Abstract

A catalytic thermal tip double catheter provides an alternative energy source for thermal angioplasty without the expense and technical support required for laser or electrical thermal angioplastic devices. The catalytic thermal tip catheter utilizes heat generated by the reactive of a stoichiometric ratio of oxygen and hydrogen gases catalyzed by a small piece of palladium sponge situated in a chamber adjacent to and enclosed by the metallic tip of the catheter, the vapors formed in the chamber generated being evacuated by a vacuum applied to an inner tube. Gas flow regulates catalytic thermal tip temperature which is monitored by a thermocouple positioned within the chamber. Vacuum and gas flow are controlled by an automatic or manual controller which is in direct communication with the temperature monitor.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A catalytic thermal tip catheter, comprising: a distal metallic tip end; a catalytic chamber adjacent to and partially enclosed by said metallic tip; a catalyst for initiating an exothermic reaction between two gases, located in said chamber; and elongated catheter body comprising means for the passage of a reactive gas from a remote location to said catalytic chamber; whereby introduction of said reactive gas in said catalytic chamber effects a catalytically initiated chemical reaction which produces heat conducted directly to said metallic tip to heat said metallic tip to a temperature of at least 180° C.   
     
     
       2. A catheter in accordance with claim 1, further including a thermocouple situated in said chamber to monitor the temperature of said catalytic reaction in said chamber. 
     
     
       3. A catheter in accordance with claim 1, further including gas removal and heat exchange means for evacuating reaction gases generated by said chemical reaction and for pre-heating incoming gases and cooling reaction gases, comprising an inner tubing within said catheter body and in communication with said chamber. 
     
     
       4. A catheter in accordance with claim 3, wherein said means for evacuating reaction gases further comprises means for applying a vacuum to said inner tubing. 
     
     
       5. A catheter in accordance with claim 1, further comprising control means for regulating passage of reactive gases to said chamber. 
     
     
       6. A catheter in accordance with claim 1, wherein said catalyst is a catalyst for effecting chemical combustion between oxygen and a combustible gas. 
     
     
       7. A catheter in accordance with claim 1, wherein said means for the passage of reactive gas further comprises means for feeding a stoichiometric ratio of oxygen and hydrogen gases. 
     
     
       8. A catheter in accordance with claim 7, wherein said catalyst in said chamber is a palladium sponge. 
     
     
       9. A catalytically heated thermal tip catheter, comprising: an outer catheter tube having a thin-walled metallic tip at its distal end; an inner tube mounted within said outer catheter tube, said inner tube having an open distal end positioned at a fixed distance from said metallic tip; positioning means for mounting said inner tube at a fixed position within said outer tube and including through-holes for the passage of reactive gases past said positioning means; a catalytic reaction chamber defined by and within said metallic tip and into which the open distal end of said inner tube projects; a catalyst for initiating reaction between O 2  and H 2  situated in said chamber; and means for the passage of O 2  and H 2  to said chamber through a generally annular space formed between said inner tube and said outer tube for reacting in said chamber by the action of said catalyst to effect reaction and provide sufficient heat to said metallic tip to heat said tip to at least 180° C.   
     
     
       10. A catheter in accordance with claim 9, wherein said metallic tip and the distal end of said outer tube are sealed with an annular metal ring constrictor. 
     
     
       11. A catheter in accordance with claim 9, further including temperature monitoring means for monitoring the temperature within said catalytic chamber. 
     
     
       12. A catheter in accordance with claim 11, wherein said temperature monitoring means includes a thermocouple. 
     
     
       13. A catheter in accordance with claim 9, further including a controller for regulating said passage of reactive gases. 
     
     
       14. A catheter in accordance with claim 9, further comprising means for applying vacuum to said inner tube to evacuate vapor generated in said catalytic chamber. 
     
     
       15. A catheter in accordance with claim 9, wherein said outer tubing is polytetrafluroethylene.